Butcher: I still have doubts

Mark Butcher has confirmed his availability for England's tour of India next month but understands why five England team-mates are wavering and admits he may yet change his mind.

Butcher is one of 11 England players from the 16-man squad selected for the three-Test tour to announce his intention to go to India despite the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.

Robert Croft, Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Caddick, Ashley Giles and Craig White have requested more time to reach a decision and the England Cricket Board have accepted their request.

"My England career has taken off in the last six months and I want to carry on," explained Butcher, "but I totally understand the position of the guys who have dropped out today because I've still got a lot of doubts myself.

"The decision was fairly close. I had a lot of discussions with my family about whether or not I should go. They were concerned about the fact that we'd be making a lot of internal flights.

"It's still several weeks before we are due to leave and anything can happen between then and now. It wouldn't surprise me if this comes up again before we get on the plane."

Asked if he might change his mind about touring if the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates before England are scheduled to fly out to India, Butcher replied: "It's possible - it very much depends on what happens in the coming weeks as far as the conflict is concerned.

"The fact that they (the ECB) are heightening security to such levels makes you think 'if they are doing that perhaps we do have something to worry about.'

"Players have been left to make their own decisions and that's the right way to go about it," he told BBC Radio 5 Live."I think the players have been put in a spot and it's a very personal decision.

"I want to play cricket for England. I want to continue my career but there are things happening that the players are right to be concerned about."